Improvement in umbrellas



z; WALSH. Umbrella.

No. 216,490. Patent edflune 10-, 1879.

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"mam, PHOTO-UTMOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. n C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ZAGHARIAH WALSH, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN UMBRELLAS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 216,490, dated June 10,1879; application filed October 7, 1878.

and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the inven tion, which will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the aceompanyin g drawings, and to letters of reference markedthereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in umbrellas and parasols, theobject of which is to facilitate the adjustment of the ribs andstretchers, and to dispense with the use of wires, which have heretoforebeen employed to bind said stretchers and ribs in th eirfespectivesockets or grooves at the top of the umbrella and in the runner, so thatsaid ribs and stretchers may be adjusted without removing the fabric orcover, or necessitating the employment of a skilled workman for thepurpose.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the nature and character of theinvention, in which- Figure 1 represents an umbrella embodying theimprovements partially opened. Fig. 2 is a crosssection of the top bandand sleeve; Fig. 3, of the runner and its sleeve or clamp; Fig. 4, aview of the clip; and Fig. 5, a plan of Fig. 4.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each of theseveral figures.

The invention consists in the construction of a flanged runner, a,notched 0r slotted to receive the stretchers c, the flange of saidrunner being slightly recessed or cupped on the under side to receivethe ends of the stretchers c, and also to accommodatea sleeve or clamp,e, flanged at its upper end, with which runner a is provided.

On the ends of stretchers c, which are to be adjusted in the flange ofsaid runner, a small head or T is formed, so that when they are placedin their respective positions and the sleeve or clamp adjusted theycannot slip out of said slots, as they are held securely in their placesby said sleeve or clamp e, which covers the recess in said runner, thusinclosing the ends of said stretchers, and at the same time allowingthem to operate freely as the umbrella is opened and closed, asindicated in the several figures.

It will be observed that sleeve or clamp 0 may be applied in any otherappropriate manner and perform the same function-as, for in stance, bydispensing with the thread and substituting therefor a sleeve or clampsufficiently long to admit of one or more notches or slots, 8, cut inthe lower end of said sleeve, to engage with one or more studs or pinsthat may be permanently secured to the outside of runner a, as indicatedin Fig. 2, which represents the band and sleeve hereinafter to bedescribed.

Hence it will be seen that by turning the sleeve on the runner untilthe'slots or notches come opposite said studs said sleeve may be movedfar enough to allow of the displacing or placing in said flange any orall of the said stretchers. The clamp or sleeve is then pushed up andturned as far as may be necessary, so that the slots become removed fromsaid studs, and allowing the sleeve to rest on the studs, thus coveringthe recess in the flange of runner a, and at the same time securing andholding the stretchers in position, as shown and indicated.

The invention also consists in a flanged band, d, secured to the top ofthe handle, slotted and recessed to receive the ends of the ribs h,which are slightly flattened, forming a small head or T on the same,said band being also provided with a clamp or sleeve, 1', constructedand applied substantially in the same manner as that of runner a,heretofore described.

If preferred, however, the sleeve may be applied and operated from theunder side of said band instead of from the top by a slight alterationonly in its construction, as will be obvious.

If desired, a screw or threaded sleeve or clamp may be used for both therunner a and flanged band d, or studs 0. may be substituted therefor inboth cases, as before mentioned.

Another important feature contained in my invention is in theconstruction of clips s,which are designed and arranged to be clasped tothe ribs and to receive the other end of the stretchers 0. (Shown inFig. 4.)

Said clips may be made of any flexible metal of sufficient thickness toadmit of a groove (indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 4) to beformed in one of the edges to receive the ribs h.

The clips are held in their places to the ribs by simply pressing orforcing the sides of the groove together, thus clamping the clip to therib firmly. v To obviate the use of rivets and pins, generally used forconnecting the stretchers with the ribs, jawsare formed in said clips,and in said jaws a slot, 10, is cut transversely to receive the T orpivot t formed on the end of said stretchers.

Said T is placed in the jawshvhich are then closed, thereby forming anadjustable socket, (as they may be forced open to remove said stretcherswhen required,) at the same time allowing the T to operate freely.

By this device it will be seen that facility and convenience in removingor replacing any of the parts are readily accomplished.

Hence it will be observed that, from the above description of myimprovements, they can be produced at a less expense than those ingeneral use, as they may be struck up from any sheet metal, and thelabor of adjusting the ribs, stretchers, 850., is comparatively small,and the simplicity of the invention enables any possessor of an umbrellaor parasol to do his own repairing without-the aid of one skilled in theart.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The flanged band d, notched and recessed for the reception of theT-headed ribs h, and provided with an adjustable sleeve or clamp, i,having notches 3, adapted to pins 0, for the purposes set forth.

2. The clip 8, provided with the grooves t receive the ribs h andstretchers c, and the adjustable socket, as and for the purposes setforth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I hereto affix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

ZAOHARIAH \VALSH.

Witnesses:

OLIVER DRAKE, P. J. INSLEE.

